Restaurant to Bring Approximately 100 Jobs, Guests Invited to Dress in Cow Print on Opening Day for Free Entrée
HAYS, Kan. (Oct. 8, 2026) – The first Chick-fil-A® restaurant in northwest Kansas will begin serving Guests on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 a.m., with Chick-fil-A, Inc. selecting Brett Pennell to serve as its local Owner-Operator.
Located at 3404 Vine St., Chick-fil-A Hays will serve Guests Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. offering dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out, delivery and Mobile Thru. The restaurant marks Chick-fil-A‘s entry into northwest Kansas, bringing the brand’s signature hospitality and approximately 100 jobs to the Hays community.
To celebrate, Guests are invited to join the fun by dressing in cow print on opening day to receive a free entrée.
Locally Owned and Operated
“Growing up, eating at Chick-fil-A was always the highlight of our family shopping trips, so becoming a local Owner-Operator in Hays truly feels like a full-circle moment,” said Pennell. “Hays is a close-knit community with a deep pride in its people and its university. I’m honored to call this place home, and I look forward to building a restaurant where Team Members feel empowered to go the extra mile and show genuine care to every Guest.”
More About Pennell
- Pennell began his Chick-fil-A journey as a Team Member in 2017. Through relationships with local Owner-Operators, he saw firsthand the impact strong leadership can have on Team Members and the community, inspiring him to pursue the opportunity himself.
- Drawing on his experience working with young athletes, Pennell is passionate about mentorship and takes a people-first approach to leadership, with a focus on helping Team Members grow, develop and pursue their goals.
- Pennell looks forward to becoming an active member of the Hays community and building lasting relationships with local schools, businesses and community organizations.
Opening Day Moove-In Party at Chick-fil-A Hays
To celebrate the restaurant moo-ving into town, Pennell and his team are inviting the community to show off their cow spots on opening day for a free entrée.
- Since 1995, the Cows have been a beloved part of Chick-fil-A, encouraging humans to skip burgers and “Eat More Chikin” – and now it’s Hays’ turn to join the herd.
- Guests dressed in cow print – whether it’s a full cow costume or a simple cow-spotted accessory – can enjoy one free entrée or kid’s meal* in person inside the restaurant or in the drive-thru.
Caring for the Hays Community
Pennell is committed to giving back to the Hays community by:
- Providing a $25,000 donation from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to Feeding America to support the local hunger relief efforts of Kansas Food Bank, a Feeding America partner food bank, in honor of the new restaurant.
- Participating in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, which redirects surplus food to local nonprofits. The program has helped to create over 42 million meals nationwide to date.
To learn more about careers at Chick-fil-A Hays click here. For the latest news and updates on Chick-fil-A Hays visit the restaurant’s Facebook page and follow along on Instagram. For more on Chick-fil-A‘s high-quality menu options, click here.
*Guests who dress in cow attire on opening day can redeem the offer of one free entrée inside the restaurant or in the drive-thru. Breakfast offer options include the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Biscuit, Egg White Grill or 4-ct Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis®. Lunch/dinner offer options include the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, 8-ct Original Nugget, 8-ct Grilled Nugget or 5-ct Nugget Kid’s Meal. Limit one free entrée per Guest dressed in cow print, while supplies last. No purchase necessary. See the restaurant for more details.
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by local Owner-Operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the UK and Singapore.
Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts and making a positive impact. Chick-fil-A gives back through programs including Shared Table, True Inspiration Awards and Scholarships. The family-owned and privately held company got its start in 1946, founded by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com and Chick-fil-A Press Room.
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